Knitting machine



Nov. 21, 119,39.

H. E. HOUSEMAN KNITTING MACHINE Filed Julyl2l, 1938 4 sheets-smet 1 Ngv.21,. 1,939. l

H. E.l HOUSEMAN KNITTING MACHINE Filed July 21, 195s Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Nov; 2l, 1939. l `H E HOUSEMANv 2,180,707

I mm1-ING MACHINE f l I Filed July 21, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 2l,1939.

HI E. House-MAN KNITTING MACHINE Filed July 21. 195e 4 4'Sheets-Sheet 4Patented Nov. 2.1, 1939 UNITED STATES 2,180,707 xNI'r'rTNG MACHINEHarold E. Houseman, Laconia, N.A H., assigner to Scott & Williams, Inc.,Laconia, N. H., acorporation ot Massachusetts Application July 21, 1938,Serial No. 220,422

1s claims.

and particularly to mechanism for providing yarn changes in a knittingmachine of the cir- 'cular type. y

It is the general object of the present invention to provide stripingcontrol means, specific'- ally of the chain type, in a knitting machinein which yarn fingers are normally urged into active position by springmeans and are adapted to be m moved out of active position' by thrustrods or the like which are positively actuated. In

general, in such machines pattern changes have been effected by the useof drums carrying cams.

Such arrangements, however, offer relatively u limited possibilities inthe production of striping because of the limited circumferential spaceavailable on a cam drum andare obviously far less adaptable f or theproduction of patterns than striping devices in which chains of indefi-20 nite lengths may be provided. .The fact that the yarn fingers arenormally urged into active positoes during which the patterning issuspended.'v

There must also be provision for timing a pattern chain to a properposition for the formation of .striping in a new stocking after thecompletion of the knitting of a toe. In accordance with the presentinvention, the requirements imposed by the considerations outlined aboveare met in a simple fashion, well adapted lto a high speed ofproduction. f

A further object of the invention is the provision of means forcontrolling clamping and cutting actions in time with yarn changes andfor suspending the normal action of the clamp- 45 ing and cutting meansat desired times.

The above and other subsidiary objects relating primarily to details ofconstruction will be apparent from the following description, read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, 50 in which:

Figure l is a rear elevation of certain patterning devices adapted tobeassociated with a cir- Acular knitting machine of substantially conventional type; 55 Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevation showing details ofcertain elements of the yarn changing mechanism;

Figure 3 is a vertical section, taken on the plane indicated at 3-3 inFigure 1, with various parts broken away showing the association of theim- 5 proved striping mechanism with conventional parts of the knittingmachine; y

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on the broken plane indicated at4-4. in Figure 1,showing certain details of the clamping and cutting 10control means; I

Figure 5 is a section taken onthe plane indi,- cated at 5-5 Ain Figure4; ,v

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on the plane indicated at 6-6 inFigure 1; 15

Figure 7 is a vertical section taken on the plane'indicated at 'I-'I inFigure 1; f

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating particularly thechain set-up devices; and

Figure 9- is a vertical section similar tol'a portion of Figure 3illustrating the events occurring in the changing cfyarn.

The machine to which the invention is shown applied is of the typeillustrated in Page Patent 1,627,337, which patent discloses variousdetails of the machine which need not vbe described herein. 'I'hemachine comprises a needle cylinderl 2 which, in the present instance,isa rotating cylinder, the needle cylinder carrying the usualindependent latch needles 4 with which there` cooperate the conventionalelements of machines. of this type. In thevpresent instance, the machineis shown as provided with three yarn fin. gers 6, each adapted to lead ayarn 8 lto the. needles, the yarn fingers being pivoted upon a commonpin III and being lindividually urged into feeding position by springsI2. The various yarn lingers are moved to upright inactive posi-[11'tions by means of guided pushbars I4 adapted for dual actuation by camson the main patter drum I 6 and by the striping control devices for ingthe subject-mattei' of the present invent; The main pattern drum I6 is`steppedyabout supporting axis I8 in a clockwise direction',l viewed inFigure 3 by the usual devicesjgand iter carries cams of various sorts tocontrol operation of the machine in conventional fashiorrgf;v

For each of the three thrust bars I4; there is provided an operatinglever 20, thelevers y2ll'being pivotedl upon a pin 22 and eachbeingprovided 50 with an end 24 engaging, as illustrated, `within anotch in its corresponding thrust bany yI4.I, Springs 26 cause the barsand operating;lovers- Each operating lever 20 has a depending arm 55 toremain in engagement. f

28, engageable with a lug 80 on a corresponding detent lever 82, ofwhich there are three, pivoted upon a xed rod 84. Each of the detentlevers is provided with a depending arm 89, to which reference will bemade hereafter, and is urged in a counter-clockwise direction as viewedin Figure-3 by means .of its individual spring 81.

Each ofthe operating levers is further provided -With anarm 86. providedwith a notched end as indicated at 88. arranged to be engaged by thenose 40 of its operator 42. The three operators 42 are pivoted upon acommon pin 44, which is secured in the upper end'of an oscillatingbracket 46, Joux-nailed on the` fixed rod 84. Also pivoted upon the pin44 is an oscillating yoke 48, which carries a transverse pin 50, locatedwithin notches 52 in operators 42, which notches are substantially widerthan the pin 50, so that each operator may have a limited degree ofmovement with respect to the pin 50 and the bracket 48. Each'of theoperators is urged to a position limited'by the pin 50 by meansof itsindividual spring u.

Referring to Figure 2, some of the devices associated lwith the bracket48- are morev clearly indicated therein. The bracket 48 is' urgedin acounter-clockwise ,direction by a spring 56 to a position limited byengagement of a stop screw 58 with a lug on the bracket 48. Itsclockwise movement relative to the bracket 46 is limited by engagementof a lug 60 carried by the yoke 48 with an adjustable stop screw 62,carried by the bracket 46. Additionally, the bracket 48 carries anoperating screw 64 to which reference will be made hereafter.

'Ihe bracket 46 is adapted to be oscillated continuously during theoperation of the machine through the medium of a link 66 pivoted to itand to a lever 68 carrying a cam follower 10 engageable by the cam 12mounted on the shaft 14, which makes one rotation for every rotation ofthe needle cylinder. The follower 10 is continuously `urged in` contactwith the cam 12 by means of a spring 15 engaging a .laterally extendingarm 16 of the bracket 46.

To the arm 16 is pivoted a pawl 18 urged by a spring 80 into engagementwith the teeth of a ratchet 82 secured to a chain drum 83 which carrieschains serving for the control of the ima counter-clockwise direction,as indicated in Figure 3. vl v AnI upwardly extending lever '50rotatably mounted on a shaft 92 journalledin a bracketl secured tothemachine frame has aturned up- 'per end 8| adapted to engage and move inav clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 3, thepawl guard y84. A pin98 carried bythis same lever 88 is adapted to engage the ldepending armsIl of the detent levers 02 to lower simultaneously their active ends forthe purpose hereafter described. The shaft 92 has secured to it anupwardly extending arm $4 yengageable with an adjustingscrew 86 carriedby the, arm k94,.' so

that effectively the arm 90 is adjustably secured to the shaft sz. Theshaft s2 alsccarries s. n cam following arm 88 engageable with suitablethe block ||6 extends a pin |20.

A llearns. as hereafter described, on the main cam drum I6. v

Mounted upon a fixed pivot |02 there is a bell crank lever |00 the upperend of which pivotally carries a brake shoe |04 faced with leather orother friction material engaging a smooth portion of the chain drum 83.'I'he depending arm of the lever |00 has threaded into it an adjust-'able stop screw |06 engageable with a fixed member of the machine andadapted to be ad- Justed to vary the pressure upon the chain drum A88 toprevent its overrun or free movement except under the action of the pawl18.

Adapted to selectively cooperate with the operators 42 there is a finger|08 secured to the right hand end of` arod ||0 slidably mounted inbearings ||2 and ||4 of the frame, as indicated in Figure 1. The rod 0has fixedly secured to it a block ||8 to which is secured aspring ||1normally urging the rod V||0 to the right, as illustrated in Figure 1.At its left hand end the rod I0 carries an arm 8 between which and Thispin is free to oscillate to a limited extent in an opening |2| in theleft hand bearing member ||4. A lever |22 pivoted at |24 engages the pin|20 and serves to urge it in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed inFigure 7 under thel action of spring |26. The lever |22 has a movementlimited by adjustable eccentric stops |28 and |30 which thereby definethe angular movement of the rod ||0 and the finger |08.

An upwardly extending arm |32 pivoted at |84 to the frame is providedwith an adjustable screw |36 engageable with the block ||6to impartmovements to the block in opposition `to the spring ||1. An adjustablescrew |88 carried by the lever |32 is engaged by the upper face of a camblock |40 secured to a lever |42 journalled .upon the pin 22 on whichare mounted the thrust bar operating levers 20. A screw |46 limits thecounter-clockwise movement of the lever |42 by engagement with a portionof the frame; A follower member |48 carried by the lever |42 is adaptedto engage lugs |50 of various heights on the striping chain |52', whichis mounted upon a sprocket |54 formed on the chain drum 88.

'I'he end |56 of the lever |42 has secured' to it the pin 88v heretoforedescribed as connected to the pawl guard 84 through the link'86.

Pivoted upon the lever |42 at |58 is a member urged in acounter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 6 by means of a spring|8|` to a position in which it engages an extension of the pin 88. Themember |60 is provided with an inturned lower end |62 .designed tocooperate with a camming lug |64 projecting laterally from the chain|52.

Arranged to engage the upper end of the mem- 'ber |60 is a laterallyextending pin |66 carried bythe upwardly extending arm of a bell crank|68, thedepending arm of which is connected by a thrust link` |10adapted to be rocked at proper times by means of the main pattern chain(not shown). f

Clamping and cutting mechanism, show n in vconventionalized fashion at|14,` is adapted to be actuated by means of a thrust bar |12 which maybe actuated at suitable times by means of further movement of thebracket 48 will cause the notch in the bar |12 by means of a spring |11.The lever |18 is provided with a depend- 'ing arm |18 carrying a pin |80on which is pivoted a lever |82 urged upwardly by a spring |83 and'carrying a pin' |84 engaging within a slot I 86 in a depending portionof a lever` |88 pivoted at |80 to the frame. I'he forward end of thelever |88 is provided with a follower extension |92 adapted to beengaged by a pin or plurality of pins |94 projecting laterally from achain |85 trained over -a sprocket |88 formed on the chain drum 83. Whenthe lever |88 is in its counterclockwise position, as illustrated inFigure 4, the lever |82 presents an upper end in line with a path ofmovementof the operating screw 04, to which reference has beenheretofore made. On the other hand, when the lever |88 is swungclockwise by the action of a pin |94 the end of the lever 82 is removedfrom the path of the screw 84, which may pass thereover. 4

The operation involved in the changing of yarns will be best understoodfrom a consideration of Figures 1, 3 and 9. The ilnger |08 may belocated bythe various lugs on chain |52 in four dliferent positions. Oneof these is an extreme right hand position in which the finger 08 liesto the right of all three of the operators 42 as viewed in Figure 1.This position occurs when the follower member |48 lies above a linkwhich does not carry any lug |50. The lowest lug |50 causes the ngertolie behind the right hand operator 42 while lugs of the next twosuccessive heightscause it to lie behind the next The iinger may also betwo of these operators. caused to lie to the left of the operatorsashereafter described. If more thanv three yarn fingers are used, thefinger |08 will be caused to assume additional corresponding positionsunder control of lugs on the pattern chain.

Assuming rst that the nger |08 lies in its extreme right hand position,as viewed in Figure l, it will not be engaged by any of the opholdingits yarn nger out of action, while a rear operating lever isvin aclockwise position corresponding to the active positionof its yarn nger.Let it be assumed that a yarn change is to take place andthe frontoperating lever is to be caused to permit its yarn nger to go intooperation and that the second yarn finger is to be taken out ofoperation. Under such conditions, prior to the rearward movement of thebracket 48 the finger |08 will have been positioned behind the operator42 corresponding to the front operating lever 20. As the bracket movesrearwardly, the upper 'portion of the operator 42 in line with the nger|08 will engage thenger, and since the action of the springv |26 is madestronger` than the action of any of the springs 54 the operator 42 williirst swing downwardly,- before moving the nger |08, into engagementwith the upper end of thearm 35,

projecting from the front detent lever 32. Its downward movement beingthus arrested, the

the 'nger |08 to move rearwardly against the `action oi' the spring |28until the end 40 of the front operator 42 clears the arm 38, whereuponthe spring |28 will move the linger |08 forwardly causing the end 40 ofthe front operator to drop below the level ofthe arm 35.' As this actiontakes place, furthermore, the operator 42 will engage the pin 5l,thereby swinging the yoke 48 in a clockwise direction, carryingdownwardly the operators which Vhave not engaged the n ger I 08. As theforward movement of the bracket 48 now takes place, the end 40 of thefront operator will move below the arm 85. while the ends 40 of theother operators will move above the arm but in lowered positions. Thisposition of the parts' is4 illustrated in Figure 9, wherein the frontoperator 42 is just about to leave the nger |08, which holds it in lowerposition until its 'end 40 is safely below the arm 35 of the'frontdetent 82, which arm thereafter holds it and the other operators intheir lowered positions.

As the bracket continues to move forward, two events occur insuccession. First the end of the front operator engages the seatportion'of the arm 35 of the front detent 82 and rocks it downwardlyagainst the action of spring 31. This releases the correspondingoperating lever 20 and its yarn nger drops into action urged by itsspring l2. Immediately thereafter, the end 40 of any operatorcorresponding to a yarnnger which has been in action engages within thenotch 38 of the corresponding lever 20 moving it counterclockwise tocarry its yarn ilnger upwards out of action. During this movement theend 28 of any such operating lever cams downwardlythe retaining lug 30on its corresponding detent and after passing such lug the detentsnapsupwardly restraining the operating lever from clockwise movement,and thus preventing the corresponding yarn nger from coming intoactionduring the next rearward movement of the bracket 48. Thus it will beseen that one yarn nger corresponding to the position of the iinlger |08is put into action and any other yarn nger or iingers previously inaction will be moved upwardly out of action.

It is to be noted that the sequence of events is such` that an overlapwill be provided, since a yarn nger previously in action is moved out ofaction only after a slight intervalifollowing the introduction of asubstitute yarn nger. By the arrangement illustrated, this can bereadily timed so as to secure a predetermined overlap of denite amount.It will also be noted that the yarn 'change will take place. onsubstantially the same needles because of the rotation of the cam 12 intime with the needle cylinder. Due to the fact that the pawl 18 operateson the forward stroke, the selective positioning of the linger |08 willtake place while the operators are`in their forward position and henceclear of its path. 1

As is usual in machines of this type, it is necessary to control thepattern chains in a two-fold manner. First, during heel knitting, theadvance of the pattern chain or ,chains must be discontinued and then,during thev knitting of the ring toe and perhaps a portion o'f the toe,the pattern chains must be timed, that is, afdvanced td their properpositions for the beginning of the patterning in the leg of a subsequentstocking.`

' When the heel is reached, ahigh cam on the main pattern drum engagesthefollower Il. causingtheendll oftheleverltomovethe pawl guard 84around its pivot into a position to prevent engagement of the ratchet 82by the paw11l. Atthesametimathelinkliraises the lever |42 and thus movesV the linger` l to Aon extreme left hand position as viewed in liig` i4willbeunder thecontrol of cams onthe main.

camdrum|6,sothattheywlllbeoperated whollyA independently of the chainset-up. In general, of course. striping yarns will be removed fromaction at this time, and the main cam drum will permit to-come intoaction a suitable yarn for the formation of the neel. (The heel yarnnger, not shown, may be solely under control of the'pattem drum I6.) Atthe conclusion of the formation of the heel, the pawl guard is releasedas the follower 98 drops olf its actuating cam, and yarn`changing isresumed for the formation of instep patterns.

`A somewhat different action occurs at thebeginningofknittingoftheringtoe. Alower-camonthemainpatterndmmlithenengages the follower Sl causing the pawlguard 8 4 to be swung to some extent clockwise, as viewed in Fisure3,but not to a suiiicient extent to prevent the normal action of pawl'Il of the ratchet l2. 'Ihis partial movement of the guard llcauses thelever |42 toberaisedtosuchextentasto move the linger Ill to the left ofthe operators 42, but not as far as in the previous instance. The turnedend |52 of the member III is now raised to a position to be engagedandunderrir'ldenby the set-up camming .lug |64. Again the main camdrumiiassumes controlofthepushrods I4, the detents 32 being again lowered soas to release the operating levers 2l.

The stepping about of the pattern chain continues until the camming lug|84 engages the inturned lower end |52 of the member lil. By the actionof the lug |64 the lever |42 israisedto a heightvwhich, as before, willcause the pawl guard I4 to prevent the pawl 1I from engaging theratchetv l2. Thereafter, as operation continues the bracket 46 willswing idly. When patterning is to`be resumed again, in the nextstocking, the

follower ll is released and the thrust rod lll is forced rearwardlyunder control of the main chain of the machine, and the pin lit wlllthenrock V the member .IBI to release its end |52 from the lug |64.Thereupon the lever |42v will drop, removing the pawl guard from beneaththe pawl 1l, and the pattern chain will again assume command of theyarnchanges. When Ayarn changes are made under the control of the chain|52, there are, of course, no cams on themaincam drum about its pivot44, the screw I4 thelever Illandoonsequently numeroments to the p"andcutter operating leser |16.Ontheotherhandwhmayarnchangeistotakeplaoe',thescrewt4wlllm8a8ethelever|82,therebymovingtheoperatinglever|1lpcoun terclockwise,causinganachrationoftne clamping and cutting mechanism in timed relationship withthe substitution of yarns.

Ifchmmngandeuttingisnottotakeplaceat any particular yarn pin |94projectiuglaterallyfromtheehain |96 mgagesthereadngca'mlastheyunehangebracketmoves forward for'the yarn change andduring auch engagement rocks the lever |22 downwardly sothatthescrewmovesaboveit. Tbepin Il4 then immediately clearsthecamliLwhichdrops off it sothat the lever |82 snail upwardly under the screw64, which is then above and overlappingit.Thusnothrustingactiontakesplace and clamping and cutting does not occur.

Itissometimes desirablenottoopentheclamp if'ayarnisgoingintoactiomandnoneisgoing out. Idleym arefrequently partially dragged out byone which is going into action, but a tendency in this regard is'usuallycounteracted,

if a yarn is going out of action,'as thev latter draws under the clamp.But, for example, a

-clamp and cutter.

It will be clear that variational!! thespeciiic embodiment of theinvention may be made without departing from the principles of theinvention. While only three yarn ngers have been illustratedundercontrolofapatternchaimitwillbe obvious that `duplicate yarn linger controllingmeans may be provided to provide for operation of a larger number, forexample, six lingers. Addionally, yarn lingers not under control of thepattern chain may be provided, as, for example,iingersearryingheelandtoeyarnsoramain backing yarn over which platingiseffected by the striping yarn.

WhatIclaim and direfnprotect byLetters Patent is: 1.Inacircularknittingmachine,a needlecylinder carrying independentneedles, a plurality of yarn lingers, spring means for urging said yarnlingers towards their yarn feeding positions, a plurality of detents,one for each yarn linger, arranged to hold their respective yarn ngersout ofyarnfeeding position againsttheacticnofsaid spring means, devices,one for each detent, each arranged to move during the formation of everycourse of the fabric in one of alternative paths in one of which itengages and trips its tent to render the corresponding yarn lingeractive to feed iis yarn, and means for selectively controlling the pathsof movement of said devices.

2.In a circular knittingvmachine, a needle cylinder carrying independentneedles, a plurality of yarn lingers, spring means for urging said yarnlingers towards their yam feeding positions, a plurality of detents, onefor each linger, arranged toholdtheirrespeciiveyarnnaersoutofyarn meansfor selectively controlling the paths of ders its corresponding yarnfinger inactive against the action of its spring means, and means forselectively controlling the paths of movement of said devices.

3. In a circular knitting machine, a needle cylinder carryingindependent needles, a plurality of yarn fingers., spring means forurging said yarn fingers towards their yarn feeding positions, aplurality of detents, one for each finger, arranged to hold theirrespective yarn fingers out of yarn feeding position against the actionof said spring means, devices, one for each detent, each arranged tomove during the formation of every course of. the fabric in one ofalternative paths in one of which it engages and trips its detent torender the corresponding yarn finger active to feed its yarn, in anotherof which it positively renders its corresponding yarn finger inactiveagainst the action of its spring means, and in still another of which itfails to affect the position of its corresponding yarn finger, and meansfor selectively controlling the paths of movement of said devices.

4. In a circular knitting machine, a needle cylinder carryingindependent needles, a plurality of yarn fingers, spring means forurging said yarn fingers towards their yarn feeding positions, aplurality of detents, one for each finger, arranged to hold theirrespective yarn fingers out of yarn feeding position against the actionof said spring means, devices, one for each detent, each arranged tomove `in one of alternative paths in one of which it engages and tripsits detent to render the corresponding yarn fingers active to feed itsyarn, in another of which it -positively renders its corresponding yarnfinger inactive against the action of its spring means, and `in stillanother of which it fails to affect the position of its correspondingyarn finger, and,

movement of said devices.

5. In a circular knitting machine, a needle cylinder rcarryingindependent needles, a plurality of yarn fingers, spring means forurging said yarn fingers towards their yarnfeeding plositions', aplurality of detents, one for each finger, arranged to hold theirrespective yarn ngers out of yarn feeding positions against the actionof saidspring means, devices, one for each detent, each arranged to'moveduring the formation of every course of the fabric in one of alternativepaths in one of which it engages and trips its detent to render thecorresponding yarn finger active to feed its yarn, in another of whichit positively rendersl its corresponding yarn finger inactive againstthe action of its spring means,

and in still another of which it fails to affect the position of itscorresponding yarn finger, and

means for effecting the first mentioned path of movement for one deviceand simultaneously effecting the second mentioned path of movement foreach of the'- other devices.

6. Inv a circular knitting machine, aneedle vcylinder carryingindependent needles, a plurality of yarn fingers, spring `means forurging said yarn fingers towards their yarn feeding positions, aplurality of detents, one for each finger, arranged to hold theirrespective yarn lingers out of yarn feeding positions against the actionof said-spring means, devices, one for each detent, each arranged tomove during the forma-l tion of every course of the fabric in one ofalternative paths in one of which it engages and trips its detent torender the corresponding yarn finger active to feed its yarn, in anotherof which ity positively renders its corresponding yam finger inactiveagainst the action of its spring means, and in still another of which itfailsl to affect the position of its corresponding yarn finger, andmeans for effecting the first mentioned path of movement for one deviceand simultaneously effecting the second mentioned path of movement foreach of the other devices, and for alternatively effecting the thirdlmentioned paths of movement for all of said devices.

7. In a circular knitting machine, a needle cylinder carryingindependent needles, a plurality of yarn fingers, spring means forurging said yarn fingers towards their yarn feeding positions, aplurality of detents, one for each finger, arranged to hold theirrespective yarn fingers out of yarn feeding positions against the actionof said spring means, devices, one foreach detent, each arranged to movein one of alternative paths in one ofwhich it engages and trips itsdetent to render the corresponding yarn finger active to feed its yarn,in another of which it positively renders its corresponding yarn fingerinactive against the action of its spring means, and in still another ofwhich it fails to affect the position of its corresponding yarn finger,and means for effecting the first mentioned path of movement for onedeviceand simultaneouslyeffecting the second mentioned path of movementfor each of the other devices.

8. In a circular knitting machine, a needle cylinder carryingindependent needles, a plurality of yarn lingers, spring means forurging said yarn fingers towards theirryarn feeding positions, aplurality of detents, one for each finger, arranged to hold theirrespective yarn fingers A.' f

out of yarn feeding positions against the action of said spring means,devices, one for each detent, each arranged to move in one ofalternative paths in one of which it vengages and tripsfits detent torender the corresponding yarn finger active to feed its yarn, in anotherof .which it positively renders its corresponding yarn finger inactiveagainst the action ofv its spring means, and in still another of whichit fails to affect the positionvof its corresponding yarn finger, andmeans for effecting the first mentioned path of movement for one deviceand simultaneously effecting the second mentioned path of movement for larranged to hold their respective yarn fingers out of yarn feedingposition against the action of said spring means, devices, one for eachdetent, each arranged to move in one of alternative paths in one ofwhich it engages and trips its detent to render thecorresponding yarnfinger active to feed its yarn, in another of which it positivelyrenders its correspondingv yarn ngerv inactive against the action of itsspring means, and in still another of which it fails to affect theposition of its corresponding yarn finger, means for effecting the firstmentioned path of movement for one device, and means arranged so thatmovement of said one device in the first mentioned path of movementvcauses each of the other devices to move simultaneously in the secondmentioned path of movement.

10. In a circular knitting machine, a needle cylinder carryingindependent needles, a plurality of yarn fingers, spring means forurging said yarn fingers towards their yarn feeding positions, aplurality of detents, one foreach finger, arranged to hold theirrespective yarn ngers out of yarn feeding position against the actionofV said spring means, devices, one for each detent, each arrangedtomove in one of alternative paths in one of which it engages and tripsits detent to render the corresponding yarn finger active to' feed itsyarn, in another of which it positively renders its corresponding yarnfinger inactive against thev action of its spring means, and in stillanother of which it fails to affect the position of its correspondingyarn finger, means for effecting the first mentionedpath of movement forone device, and means arranged so that movement of said one device inthe first.

mentioned path of movement causes each of the other devices to movesimultaneously in the second mentioned path of movement, and means foralternatively effecting the third mentioned paths of movement for all ofsaid devices.

11. In a circular knitting machine, a needle cylinder carryingindependent needles, a plurality of yarn fingers, spring means forurging said yarn fingers towards their yarn feeding positions, aplurality of detents, one for each yarnnger, arranged to hold theirrespective yarn fingers out of yarn feeding position against the actionof said spring means, devices, one f'or each detent, each arranged tomove in one of alternative paths in one of which it engages and tripsits detent to render the corresponding yarn finger active to feed itsyarn, means for selectively controlling the paths of movement of saiddevices, and means for rendering said `detents inoperative and forcontrolling the positions of said yarn fingers while said devices areinactive to control said yarn fingers, v

12. In a circular knitting machine, a needle cylinder carryingindependent needles, a plurality of yarn fingers, spring means forurging said yarn fingers towards their yarn feeding positions,

a plurality of detents, one for each iinger,

arranged to hold their respective yarn fingers out of yarn feedingposition against the vaction of said spring means, devices, oneforeachdetent, each arranged to move in ,one of alternative paths in oneof which it engages and trips its detent to render the correspondingyarn finger active to feed its yarn, in another of which it positivelyrenders its corresponding yarn finger inactive against the action of itsspring means, and in still another of which it fails to affect theposition of its corresponding yarn finger, means for selectivelycontrolling the paths of movement of said devices, and means foreffecting control of the yarn fingers independently lof said detents andwhile said devices are moving in the third mentioned paths. i'

13. In a circular knitting machine, a needle cylinder carryingindependent needles, a plurality of yarn fingers, clamping and cuttingmeans for the yarns, means for selectively effecting striping changes ofyarns, means for operating the clamping and` cutting means when yarnchanges are effected, and pattern controlledl means timed with the meansfor selectively effecting-said striping changes of yarns for preventingthe operation of the clamping and cutting means when certain stripingyarn changes take place.

14. In a circular knitting machine, a needlev cylinder carryingindependent needles, a plurality of yarn fingers, spring means forurging said yarn fingers towards their yarn feeding positions, aplurality of detents, one for each yarn finger, arranged to hold theirrespective yarn fingers out of yarn feeding position against the actionof said spring means, devices. one for each detent, each arranged tomove during the formation of every course of the fabric in one ofalternative paths in one of which it engages and trips its detent torender the corresponding yarn iinger active to feed its yarn, means forselectively ,controlling the paths of movement of said devices, clampingand cutting means for the yarns, and means for effecting operations ofthe clamping and cutting means only when one of said devices moves insaid path to render a yarn finger active to effect a. yarn change.

-15. In a circular knitting machine, a needle cylinder carryingindependent needles, a plurality of yarn Vngers, spring means for urgingsaid yarn fingers towards their yarnfeeding positions, a plurality ofdetents, one for each yarn iinger, arranged to Vhold their respectiveyarn fingers out of yarn feeding position against the action of saidspring means, devices, one vfor each detent, each arranged to move inone of alterna- ,tive paths in 'one of which it engages and trips itsdetent to render the corresponding yarn iinger active to feed its yarn,means for selectively controlling the paths of movement of said de-Vices, clamping and cutting means for the yarns, 4

and means for effecting operations of the clamping and cutting meansonly when one of said devices moves in said path to render a yarn fingeractive to effect a yarn change'.

16. In a circular knitting machine, a needle cylinder carryingVindependent needles, a plurality ofvyarn ngers, spring means for urgingsaid yarn fingers towards their yarn feeding positions, a plurality ofdetents, one for each yarn finger, arranged to hold their respectiveyarn fingers out of yarn feeding position against the action of saidspring means, devices, one foreach detent,

each arranged to move in one of alternative paths in one of which itengages and trips its detent to render the corresponding yarn fingeractive to feed its yarn, means for selectively controlling,

the paths of movement of said devices, clamping and cutting means forthe yarns, and means for effecting operations of the clamping andcutting means only when one of said devices moves in said path to rendera yarn finger active to effect a yarn change, and means for preventingsaid operation of the clamping and cutting means when certain yarnchanges take place.

17. In a circular knitting machine, a needle cylinder vcarryingindependent needles, a plurality of yarn fingers, spring means 'forurging said yarn fingers toward their yarn feeding positions, aplurality of holding means, one for each yarn finger, arranged to holdtheir respective yarn fingers out of yarn feeding position against theaction of said spring means, devices, one for each finger holding means,each arranged. .to1;imove during the formationof every course ofthefabric in one of alternative paths in Vo'ne'of whichit operates itsfinger holding means to lrender the ity of yarn lingers, spring meansfor urging said yarn ngers toward their vyarn feeding positions,devices, one foreach yarn nger; each arranged to move during theformation of every course of fabric in either an inactive or an activepath,

10 means for selectively controlling the ypaths of movement of saiddevices, and yarn nger holding means interposed between said devices andy said 'yarn fingers, said devices and yarn finger holding means beingarranged so that when a device moves in its active path it causes acorresponding holding means to'release its inactive finger so that aspring may render it active, and so that simultaneously a linger whichhad been active is removed from active position.

f n HAROLD E. HOUSEMAN.

